Issue 5, March 2009
For those who’ve decided to stay for the long-term, in this edition we recommend the Crater Lakes National Park for a fun day swimming (not far from Cairns). For the Sydneysiders, check out the Bondi Beach Night Markets or Nielsen Park!
Read about ways to drop a dress size; buy cleanskins – a cheaper way to drink great tasting wine!
For the coffee lovers in the Sydney houses – visit your local café (Caffetini) on 73 Macarthur Street just up from Travelscene and you get 10% off everything when you show your security card.
For the cooks, check out the Fetticini Carbonara recipe – easy and very tasty!
Remember we’re always keen to hear your thoughts so drop us a line at daloope@sleepingwiththeenemy.com
That’s it for this week. Enjoy life!
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This week we welcome the following “Newbies” into our Sleeping community.
In Sydney:
- Ching Wen Fan (Korea)
- Leigha Sheridan (Canada
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In Cairns:
- Lucy Chester (United Kingdom)
- Sophie Johnston (United Kingdom)
- Laura Sanchez Berzosa (Spain)
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Cafe Lovers in Sydney – 10% discount
We’ve organised a great deal with a local café in Sydney, Caffetini.
In case you haven’t been there, it’s the café located off Harris Street on Macarthur Street (Just up from Travel Scene on the corner). It’s only a minutes walk away at 73 Macarthur Street.
When you show your Sleeping with the Enemy security card you will get a 10% discount on all your purchases. The café is open Monday – Friday 7am – 4pm and Saturday mornings. They sell great coffee and serve yummy breakfasts, lunches and cakes and treats.
Drop in and try it and SAVE!
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"It's not what you earn -- it's how you spend it that counts. It sounds like common sense and it is, but how many of us put off saving money for that next holiday? Here’s a great idea to help you still enjoy the good things in life without breaking your budget.
If you’re a wine drinker than listen up. Have you considered buying Cleanskins? A clean skin wine basically means that no (or very little) labelling & marketing of the wine has been done, therefore reducing the cost of production with the savings then passed on to the wine consumer.
Why buy a cleanskin wine?
Low prices.. up to 1/2 of what you would pay in a bottleshop for the branded variety.
Where do I buy cleanskins?
You can pick up some great clean skins at the local bottle shop or you can buy online. Just do a search on google – clean skins Australia and loads of different companies pop up. They even deliver to the house if you want them too.
Now you can buy heaps of great wine and not break the budget.
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White Water Rafting, Tully River (near Cairns)
We’ve been told that white water rafting on the world-class Tully River is a must-do for thrill adventure seekers and for white water rafting enthusiasts. The white water rafting on the Tully River is rated moderate to challenging, offering mainly grade 3 and 4 rapids.
In the remote World Heritage Rainforest, the Tully River winds through dramatic gorges, rushing waterfalls and untouched ancient rainforest.
It’s recommended that you get on a tour for the full day at no more than $150 or a half day at $85. Most of the different tour companies will be able to pick you up from the house. Or you can depart from Cairns city centre, travelling to the upper gorge of the Tully River just 2 hours south of Cairns or you can catch The Sunlander or Tilt Train to Tully yourself.
Those that have been strongly recommend that you take the following items:
- Lace-up runners/sandshoes plus an extra pair for afterwards
- Swimmers
- Shorts and t-shirt
- Sunscreen, cap/hat
- Towel
- Dry change of clothes for the trip home
- Jumper/pullover
- Sunglasses and strap
Another tip is to eat before you start rafting and remember there’s no point taking your camera - as you can’t take it with you on the rapids.
Our final advice is that this is a MUST on your visit to the Far North Queensland!!!
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Kayak in Sydney’s Middle Harbour
A memorable Sydney experience would have to be kayaking on the harbour.
You can go on a kayak tour with a guide for about $99 for 4 hours but we recommend grabbing a group of friends together and try it yourself. You can rent a kayak from Sydney Harbour Kayaks by calling them on 9960 4389 or 9969 4590. They have a large range of quality single and double kayaks available for off the beach hire. They are charged out per hour at around $20. This way you have the flexibility to stop off and go where it suits you.
To make the planning straight forward for you, go to Sydney Harbour Kayaks, located at the base of The Spit Bridge in Mosman (Click here to view map). They are on the Eastern side of the Spit Bridge opposite Delbora Marina and right under Harry's Fish Café.
From the city, it’s really simple to get there. Take the Mosman turn off and drive down Military Road until you reach The Spit Bridge. If coming by bus, catch a bus from Wynard Station from Stand C.
Once you’ve hired your kayak, paddle from the Spit Bridge in Middle Harbour up to Roseville Bridge and see the luxury boats that are owned by the VERY RICH and the amazing houses overlooking the cliffs along the way. The fresh sea air is refreshing and the exercise you get make it a great way to spend a day out. We recommend you finish your day off with a great hamburger in the café on the mariner. This experience will stay with you forever – you’re in Sydney so why not get out in it!
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Babinda Boulders
Surrounded by lush rainforest, the Babinda Boulders is a popular swimming hole and tourist attraction south of Cairns. It is a classic example of the fast flowing tropical creeks in the area that are perfect for afternoon dips in the cool water to combat the tropical heat.
The creek is lined with huge boulders and the clear fresh water weaves between the obstacles to fill large pools where people can swim. Visitors to the Babinda Boulders are often amazed that the water is quite cool, even during mid-summer.
Just behind The Boulders is Mt Bartle Frere, Queensland's tallest mountain, from which Babinda Creek's cool water originates. The section of the creek where the water rushes over massive granite boulders, smoothing and shaping them, is refered to as The Babinda Boulders. The Babinda Boulders is not just a beautiful swimming hole, but the area also holds great significance for local Aboriginal people.
According to legend a beautiful girl named Oolana, from the Yidinji people, married a respected elder from her tribe named Waroonoo. Shortly after their union another tribe moved into the area and a handsome young man came into her life. His name was Dyga and the pair soon fell in love. Realising the adulterous crime they were committing, the young lovers escaped their tribes and fled into the valleys. The elders captured them, but Oolana broke free from her captors and threw herself into the still waters of what is now known as Babinda Boulders, calling for Dyga to follow her. As Dyga hit the waters, her anguished cries for her lost lover turned the still waters into a rushing torrent and the land shook with sorrow. Huge boulders were scattered around the creek and the crying Oolana disappeared among them.
Aboriginal legend says her spirit still guards the boulders and that her calls for her lost lover can still be heard.
How to get to Babinda Boulders
The Boulders are located 7 kilometres from Babinda and 58km south of Cairns.
Drive to The Boulders
From Cairns head south along the Bruce Highway for about 1 hour and turn right into the town of Babinda. Road signs then direct the way to the swimming hole.
The drive between Cairns and Babinda passes through spectacular mountainous scenery and luscious rainforest as well as sugar and banana farming communities. Queensland's two highest mountains; Mt Bartle Frere and Mt Bellenden Ker are both visible along the drive.
The township of Babinda is worth a look at while you're in the area.
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Lake Eacham, Crater Lakes National Park
Lake Eacham is on the eastern part of the Atherton Tableland. It is about 68km or just over one hour's drive from Cairns via the Gillies Highway. The Atherton Tableland is also accessible via the Kennedy Highway from Cairns, the Palmerston Highway from Innisfail or the Mossman-Mt Molloy Road from Port Douglas
Lake circuit track — 3km return (1 hour) Grade: Easy to moderate
A pleasant walk around the lake, this track offers secluded forest-fringed views of the lake and excellent opportunities for viewing wildlife.
Picnic and day use areas
Picnic tables, toilets, and gas and electric barbecues are provided. Two viewing decks over the lake offer uninterrupted views of the lake and its inhabitants. Visitors are encouraged to place all their rubbish in the bins provided and to refrain from feeding the wildlife.
Canoeing
Non-motorised boats are welcome.
Swimming
Swimming is permitted at Lake Eacham and several access points are provided. Please do not jump or dive from viewing decks, pontoon, lake edge or overhanging vegetation. Be aware of other swimmers.
Hire a hire a Rent-A-Bomb and experience these wonderful parts of Queensland.
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Bondi Beach Night Market
The Bondi Beach Night Market is a relaxing evening combined with a delicious dinner at any of the nearby restaurants.
The Bondi Market is open from Tuesday to Friday, from 3pm till late, and on Saturdays and Sundays from 12pm until late.
It's very easy to find on Roscoe St Mall (just off Campbell Parade) opposite the beach. Here is a map.
The best time to visit is a Saturday night, as there are more people about which in turn attracts more stallholders.
There is an eclectic range of items for sale. You'll find everything from clothes and jewellery, to seashells and paintings. The market has no theme as such.
A nice feature of the Bondi Markets is that they are non-profit, and are run by a collective of stallholders.
This activity is completely FREE and Bondi is a beautiful part of Sydney for a stroll afterwards along the beach.
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Nielsen Park
Nielsen Park is a fabulous harbour beach in the Eastern Suburbs (Vaucluse) which has great swimming, amazing views, lots of grass and shady trees for picnics, walking trails through bush and along the foreshore, and a great kiosk and restaurant for food.
If that's not enough it also has lots of space on the beach to spread out, unlike many harbour beaches.
There is some street parking available along Greycliffe Avenue and Vaucluse Road, although you may have to walk a little way to the beach.
Nielsen Park is also well served by buses, particularly the 386 from Bondi Junction, or the 325 from Edgecliff. Check the 131500 website for your best route.
If you have the time also check out the Hermitage Foreshore Walk with runs for about 1.5km from the western end of the beach to Bayview Hill Road.
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Luna Park
Fun Fairs are always a good laugh. Visiting Luna Park at Milson's Point is like stepping back in time to the 1960's.
Most of the rides such as the Wild Mouse Roller Coaster (built in 1962) are quite old, which gives the park a certain charm. You almost feel like you are on the set of Greece.
They have all the standards such as a fun house, a wonky walk, dodgem cars, flying saucer, ferris wheel, carousel, fair games, and much more.
It's free to enter the park, you just have to pay to go on the rides. If you think you'll want to try everything you can purchase passes which allow unlimited goes on any ride. During the peak holiday period this costs $48 for an adult, $43 for non-peak. You can find more information on pricing here.
The park has quite erratic opening hours which you can see here, being usually open late on Saturday night and closed on Tuesday through Thursday.
Getting to the park is very easy with your options being bus, ferry, or train. There is also limited paid secure parking available. Click here for more travel info.
Check it out for a fun night out (not to mention the views!)
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Check out these hot jobs…now might be a good time for a change!
For further details log onto www.seek.com
CAIRNS
- EXPERIENCED TRAVEL CONSULTANT: Are you a Travel Consultant looking for a new challenge? Flight Centre Cairns is looking for an Experienced Travel Consultant to join their team.
- HOTEL RECEPTION/PORTER: Bay Village Tropical Retreat & Apartments in Cairns is seeking an enthusiastic Receptionist / Porter. Experience preferred. Language skills a bonus!
- BAR ATTENDANT: SPEEWAH COUNTRY TAVERN 30min from Cairns City, 15 to 25hrs/week, mostly weekend and night work. $20/hr. Some bar experience necessary.
SYDNEY
- CALL CENTRE CONSULTANT: CBD Location, Excellent Pay, Immediate Start with flexible hours.
- CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFICER: Genuine career opportunity! A global healthcare company are looking for a self-motivated, professional customer service officer to join their team.
- AIRLINE RESERVATIONS & TICKETING AGENT: An opportunity exists with a leading international airline, Air China based in the Sydney CBD. If a fast paced, customer service role is your forte, apply today.
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Visiting from overseas, like the life here in Australia and would like to stay a bit longer, need to earn a few dollars to help with the bills, we may have the answer for you, casual workers are required to deliver phonebooks in the area, you will need an ABN or Australian Business Number which you can apply for online and as long as you have a ABN reference number, your good to go!
Get a few people together and you can earn more money, you can get to see the sights of Australia that are not on any tourist map, and meet a diverse, culturally rich Australia which many don’t realise exists.
Want to know more on how to make money with no selling, no products to push, no online surveys, no email scams, just good honest walking around dropping of phonebooks, with Australia’s largest Phone book delivery company NDD.
Don’t wait any longer, get on board now, visit www.ndd.net.au to apply online or call toll free 1800 688 229 to find out more.
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5 surprising ways to drop a dress size
By Pamela Allardice
Even the biggest losers reach a weight loss plateau. These tricks will help you shift those last few kilos.
Pump protein
A Baylor University study found that women on a short-term high protein diet lost 1.3 kg more body fat than those on a more conventional carbohydrate plan. Protein preserves muscle mass, which elevates metabolism and helps burn fat faster.
Avoid distractions
Women who ate identical lunches for 4 weeks consumed 11% more on the days that they watched TV at the same time, according to French researchers. Focusing on food prevents overeating.
Add spice
When overweight people added savoury flavour sprinkles to their food, they lost an average of 17kg over 6 months. "Stronger food aromas fool your brain into thinking you're full," explains study leader Alan Hirsch, MD, Director of the Chicago Smell and Taste Research Foundation.
Cultivate quiet
Noise raises levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which stimulates production of the fat-storing hormone insulin. It also causes you to overeat, especially when you're trying to concentrate, say Pennsylvania State University researchers. They found people working in a noisy room ate twice as much junk food as those doing the same tasks in silence.
Eat grapefruit
San Diego researchers studied 100 overweight men and women who ate ½ a grapefruit (or drank 1 cup of juice) three times daily. Within 12 weeks, they had lost an average of 2kg. Researchers don't understand why, but speculate that compounds in grapefruit may somehow block fat storage.
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Fettucini Carbonara
Ingredients
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A good dash of Olive Oil - approximately one and a half tablespoons
Half a small Onion
1 clove of Garlic
3 rashes of rindless Bacon
600ml of Cream
300g Fettucini Pasta
2 tablespoons of Parmesan Cheese
1 egg
Salt
Coarse black Pepper
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Method
1. Get your large pot of salted water on the boil. Whilst this is heating up, finely chop the onion and garlic. Cut your bacon up into fine strips, making sure there is no rind on the bacon.
2. Pour the olive oil into a decent sized frying pan and heat. Then fry up the onion and garlic until the onion is translucent. Throw in the bacon strips and stir the mix until the bacon is cooked through.
3. By now your pot of salted water should be ready for the pasta. Throw in your fettucini and stir. Add the 600ml of cream to the onions, garlic and bacon. Stir well and bring to a steady boil.
4. Whilst the pasta cooks the carbonara sauce will reduce and become slightly thicker. This should take around 7 to 8 minutes once it has started boiling. Don't overcook the pasta. When pasta is al dente drain into a colander and then add to the carbonara sauce.
5. Combine the pasta and sauce well over heat, mixing thoroughly. When the pasta is coated fully by the sauce, remove from the stove. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and add salt and pepper to taste.
6. Again mix thoroughly and add a beaten raw egg to the pasta and sauce. Mix thoroughly once again. It’s now ready to serve.
Serves approximately 3 main meals.
Hope you like it
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